Word came from Little Rock that the Mexican government is most likely going to soon open a consulate in our state capital.

Officials from our neighbor to the south noted that Arkansas' proximity and existing Hispanic population make it a natural location for a consulate.

We agree, but not everyone will.

We suspect that the announcement will be met with mixed reactions. We can almost hear already the cries of the "taking our jobs" crowd.

We know those people. They're the ones who bemoan immigrants who come to America to better their way of life. They're also the ones who have somehow forgotten that their grandparents or great-grandparents probably immigrated here. We've never quite understood how these geese begrudge today's ganders.

Regardless, the Mexican consulate might serve as an icon to those who would close our borders to preserve the "American way of life."

We would remind that the American way of life for many of our ancestors began under the cloak of the Statue of Liberty at Ellis Island. Give her your tired, your poor, etc.

Hispanics are making an increasingly significant contribution to this state's economy and culture. Indeed, Hispanic populations are growing in many areas of this country, and ignoring their influence is folly.

A consulate in Little Rock would not only benefit those of Hispanic heritage by providing close contact with their native country. It would also benefit the state by facilitating economic partnerships among businesses here and potential customers there.

At this point in our history, it would seem that we would want to support anything we could do to spur economic development and growth. We can't be turning down many opportunities, and landing a Mexican consulate in Little Rock is just that - an opportunity.

It's an opportunity for Arkansans to reach out to their neighbors, and it's an opportunity to shore up the state's future economy in a practical way.